Archive for September 20th, 2012

HOT: Why marketing is important (and cool) … and, certainly not dead !

September 20, 2012

Earlier this week, we posted the HBR article claiming that “Marketing is Dead”.

Fact is, many folks think that marketing is nothing more than a bunch of b.s. being dished by shysters.

And, some folks (think finance majors) regard marketing as unchallenging & touchy-feely … a discipline for folks who can’t cut it in finance.

Au contraire, mes amies.

This week at the annual Marketing 101 session for 1st year MBAs, I tried to convey that marketing plays a central role in most companies, is highly analytical, and – done right – is harder than it looks.

From the HomaFiles archives, here’s the HOT (Homa Online Tutorial) that pitches the case.

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Posted in HOT - Homa Online Tutorial, MARKETING, Mktg - Careers | Leave a Comment »

Buffett Rule passes the House … now, you’re talking.

September 20, 2012

What gridlock in Washington?

Yesterday, the House of Reps passed a Buffett Rule that should put an end to Warren’s carping about how his taxes are too low.

According to the Washington Times:

The House passed Republicans’ own version of the Buffett Rule, which allows wealthy Americans to voluntarily pony up to reduce the deficit.

The bill, labeled the Buffett Rule Act, passed by voice vote, meaning Democrats and Republicans agreed with it.

Under the legislation, taxpayers can check a box on their taxes and send in a check for more than they owe to the IRS.

“If Warren Buffett and others like him truly feel they’re not paying enough in taxes, they can use the Buffett Rule Act to put their money where their mouth is and voluntarily send in more to pay down the national debt, rather than changing the entire tax code to inflict more job-killing tax hikes on hard-working Americans.”

Current law already allows taxpayers to send money to pay down the debt, but the process is a bit onerous.

Under their new plan, taxpayers would have an easy option on their tax returns allowing them to pay more.

Under the legislation, the money would go directly toward reducing the debt.

So, do you think Buffett will put his money where his mouth is?

I’m betting the under.

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Posted in Buffett Rule, Buffett, Warren, Tax Loopholes, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

Do Americans think that they can trust government?

September 20, 2012

Yes for state and local governments …  the Federal government: not so much.

According to Gallup, less than 1 in 5 Americans say that they trust the Federal government

… over 80% only trust the Federal government some of the time or never.

 

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According to Gallup,  a majority say that they trust state governments to handle their problems

…. about 2 in 3 think they can trust their local governments.

The lesson to politicos: keep it local … decentralized … closer (and more responsive) to the people.

 

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Posted in 2012 Campaign, Government & Politics, Government Angst, Polls & Surveys, State & Local Government | 1 Comment »

Better vision: Warby Parker eyeglasses.

September 20, 2012

Punch line: Warby Parker, a luxury eyeglass company with a social component, has grown 500 percent by following a few easy guidelines.

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Excerpted from Inc., “How Warby Parker Grew So Fast: 3 Reasons”

Addressing a crowd of more than 550 entrepreneurs and business owners at the Growco conference, … the company’s co-founder, Neil Blumenthal, offered a bit of insight into how and why the company has grown so rapidly …

  1. Cut out the middle men: By working with a manufacturer in China, and designing the glasses themselves, Warby cut out the middle men and make the glasses far more affordable.
  2. Don’t overspend on unnecessary marketing: Instead of a five or six figure launch spend … Warby launched with two well-placed editorials in Vogue and GQ. The tactic was so effective that … within two weeks, they had sold out … and had a waitlist of 20,000 customers.
  3. It all comes down to company mission: When the company moved into its new offices a couple of months ago, it decided to knock down the walls of the office … “to institute mechanisms for people to learn on a regular basis.”

Edited by JDC
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